Framing device for motion-picture machines



Jan. 5 1926. 1,568,598

v M. M. GRUBER FRAMING DEVICE FCR NCIICN PICTURE MACHINES original Filed March 24, 1920 2 sheets-sheet 1 Jan. 5 1926. 1,568,598

K M. M. GRUBER FRAMING DEVICE FOR MOTION PICTURE MACHINES 'original Filed March 24, 1920 2 Sheets5heet 2 IIIDUD Inuenor' Patented Jan. 5, 1926.

UNITED STATES MORRIS M. GR'UBER, OF BROKLYS', NEVI' YQRK, ASSTGNOR T) THE BU PORATION, OF SCRANTO'N, EENNSYLVNTA, A CREORAJON 0F PATENT liiiiftl.

'WOOD GOR- NEW' YORK.

FRAMING- 'DEVICE FR IGTION--XCTURE MACHINES.

Application filed March 24, 1920, serial No. 368,245.

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MORRIS M. Gunnar., a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Framing Devices for Motion-Picture Machines, of which the following is a specification.

r)This invention relates to a combined intermittent motion and framing device for use in motion picture apparatus, the present application being a continuation in part of my prior application Ser. No. ,850, filed April 5, 1919.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an intermittent motion mechanism in an exceedingly simple and compact form, with a minimum number of operating parts; and with a rigidity and inflexibility of struc.- ture that eifectually prevents vibration in operatioin Another object of the invention is to so mount the intermittent motion mechanism in the framework of the apparatus that it can be bodily rotated in its seat to thereby directly vary the distance between the eccentrically carried intermittently driven sprocket with relation to the aperture with which the film is to be framed, and that the intermittent motion mechanism can be bodily removed as a single unit from its seat in the framework of the apparatus.

In the construction of my improved intermittent motion mechanism, l have made use of a simple adaptation of a Geneva stop device, this being 'the most practical construction for the purpose because of the gradual acceleration and retardation of movement produced in the film, so that the hlm starts slowly into motion, moves rapidly through the middle part of its movement, and gradually loses speed until it comes to a stop, this mode of operation resulting in a desirable free-dom from jerking of the film. l have succeeded in reducing the number of moving parts in my intermittent motion mechanism to two, which is the smallest possible number with a Geneva stop construction. One of the two moving parts referred to is a driving shaft which directly meshes with the main vertical drive shaft of the machine, carrying at one end a fly wheel and near the other the pin and cam wheel of the. Geneva stop device. The other moving part is a second shaft carrying at one end the Renewed May 5, 1925.

Geneva star wheel and at the other the intermittently driven 'toothed sprocket which gives motion to the film.

The arrangement of the operating parts referred to is such that an exceedingly effective condition of balance of the mechanism is obtained. rlhis is brought about. by mounting the two operating shafts referred to in oppositely projecting positions in a unitary framework or casing of rigid construction and which is formed substantially midway between its ends into a circularlygrooved seating member of relatively large diameter' having rotatable engagement with the edge a recess provided for the purpose in a vertical web member forming part of 'the framework of the machine. T he Geneva drive shaft referred to projects laterally to one side of the seating member and supporting web for engagement with the main drive shaft while the intermittent sprocket is supported on the star wheel shaft at. substantially the same distance from the web on 'the other side of the web, thereby securing a balanced relation between the points where power is applied to the intermittent motion mechanism and where power is applied, in turn, by the intermittent motion mechanism to move the strip of film.

ln order to produce a framing operation with tie described structure, it is necessary merelslv `to rotate the intermittent motion inechi-.nism framework bodily in its seat in the web recess, whereupon the framework will be rotated about the pin wheel and drive shaft as a center, this shaft being mounted coincidentally with the axis of the framework, and the star wheel, and intermittent sprocket wheel shaft which is eccentrically mounted with relation to 'the framework will be moved in a translating or orbital movement about the axis of the framework and the pin wheel shaft. T his movement of 'the intermittent sprocket is arranged to vary the distance between the sprocket and the opening in the aperture plate with relation to which the film is framed.

Other features of the invention will be hereafter described.

ln the drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a motion picture projecting machine which includes an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sii iilar view taken from 'the left of Fig. l.

, Fig. 3 is a similar view taken from the left of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 1s aperspective View showing 1n detail the means for holding the intermittent motion mechanism in i'ts seat.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the intermittent motion mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of the intermittent motion mechanism taken on a line 6 6 of Fig.

Fig. 7 vis a view taken from the left 0f Fig. 6 and partly broken away.

Referring to the drawing, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the framework of the casing 1 of a motion picture projecting machine is shown, on which may be mounted the upper film reel 2, from which the film 3 may be led by way of upper feed sprocket 4, the film gate 5, intermittent motion mechanism 6 and lower feed sprocket 7 to a suitable take-o reel beneath the projector. The intermittent motion mechanism G will form the subject matter of this case. y

The device G consists of a combined intermittent motion and framing device and comprises two main operating parts, a drive shaft 8 and a. driven shaft 9 arranged .in a parallel relation but projecting in opposite directions from a supporting framework or casing 10. The drive shaft 8 has a rigid bearing Support throughout practically its entire length and at a cut-out portion in the framework 10 has a direct spiral gear connection 11 with the main vertical drive shaft 12 of the machine. The shaft 8 carries at one end the liy wheel 13 and has a cam and pin wheel 14 of a Geneva stop mechanism mounted thereon near the other end. The extreme end of the shaft 8, remote from the end carrying the fly wheel, is provided with a ball thrust bearing 15 to relieve the frietion of the thrust exerted in the shaft by the action of the spiral gear connection 11.

Mounted with one end adjacent the pin wheel 14 the driven shaft 9 extends in the opposite direction from that taken by the drive shaft 8. Near the mid portion of the framework is a chamber 16 arranged to hold oil. The shaft 9 is provided with a Geneva star wheel 17 which operatively engages the pin wheel 14 carried by the drive shaft 8. The shaft 9 passes through an elongated bearing member 18 and carries at the other end the intermittently driven film-engaging sprocket 19.

By this construction, l provide a compact, simple and vibrationless structure largely by reason of the condition of balance that is obtained by applying the power of the main drive shaft 12 at one side of the central portion of the device and causing the filmdriving sprocket to engage the film at a point on the opposite side of the central portion.

Another feature of the device 'which aids in the elimination of vibration resides in the construction of the framework 10 in which the mechanism described is mounted. It will be seen that the framework 10 is of a substantial and rigid character and that not y" only are massive bearing members of the greatest supporting length for the shafts 8 and 9 provided, but the framework is itself expanded at its central portion into a grooved seating member 2() of substantial diameter. 'lhe seating member' 20 has a grooved circular periphery formed by the flanges 21 to provide for seating the frame work in a recess formed for the purpose in the central web or partition 22 of the machine framework. This seating recess is open to the rear of the machine so that when an anchoring plate 23 carrying a follower 24, and which is held in place with suitable screws 25, is detached the entire intermittent motion mechanism can be removed from the recess and from its place in the machine without disturbing any other operating part. Normally a screw member 26 passing through the plate 23 and follower 24 frictionally engages the periphery of the grooved member 2O and prevents the framework 10 from turning on its seat. A look nut 2T is provided for holding the screw 26 in locking position. It will be seen that the large diameter of the cooperating seating members will be very effective in preventing vertical vibration of the laterally extendin shafts 8 and 9 and that the smoothness an quietness of operation of the mechanism will be correspondingly increased.

Not only does the seating arrangement of the intermittent motion mechanism provide a rigid and vibrationless mountingl for the intermittent motion device, but it also pro vides a very effective framing structure. '.l`o produce a framing operation by which the picture sections of the film are placed in register with the aperture in the film gate, it is necessary merely to relieve the pressure of the screw member 26 on the grooved periphery 2O of the framework 10 and to move thc hand lever 28 when the framework 10 will be bodily rotated in its seat through the connection formed by the link 29. This will move the star wheel 17 along the periphery of the cam of the cam wheel 14: that is, the star wheel shaft 9 will be given an orbital movement about the shaft 8 as a center. By reference to Fig. 7, it will be seen that the upward or downward movement of the star wheel 17 caused by the slight rotation of the framework 10 will either increase or diminish the distance between the aperture in the film gate and the sprocket 19 at the other end of the star wheel shaft and thereby produce a framing movement. The variation in distance caused by the upward or downward movement of the star wheel 17 will be somewhat increased Leashes 3 by the slight turning movement of the star Wheel which is produced as the star Whe-el folloivs vthe circular contour of the cam wheel 14.

rilhe cut out portion 3G in the fraiiiew l; l0 provides for the rotation of the frame vvorlr bodily about the shaft 8 Without rotating the shaft or striking the vertical drive shaft i2. A limiting cut out portion El on one of the flanges may cooperate v suitable pin or lug on the web mear.; prevent excessive rotation of the ii-inning structure in either direction.

lWhat i claim is:

l. in a motion picture machine having a vertical web provided with a recess opening to an edge of said web, an intermittent motion device, and a casing for said inter mittent motion device, said casing having intermediate its ends a tongue and groove connection with the recess in said ivob, whereby when the casing is fitted laterally into said recess from the edge of the web the tongue and groove connection Will lool: said casing against vibration.

2. in al motion picture machine having a vertical web provided With a recess opening to an edge of said web, an intermittent motion device, and a casing for said intermittent inotion device, said casing having a transverse groove intermediate its ends, said groove fitting the recess in said iveb, whereby when the casing is fitted laterally into said recess the engagement of the iveo with the groove ivill loclr the casing against movement.

3. ln a motion picture machine having a vertical web provided with a recess opening to a lateral edge of said Web, an intermittent motion device, a casing for said interm't nt motion device having a circumsci,.., groove intermediate its ends formed by franges integral ivil the casing, said groove being arranged to receive the edges of said recess when the casing is pressed lateiallki,v into the recess from the edge of the web, the inter ogageinent of saic groove and the edges of the recess serving to prevent vibretion of the casing in the recess.

ln a motion picture machine having' a vertical web Jrovided with a recess ope to a latral edge thereof, an intermittent motion device, casing for said device having a circular circumferential groove intermediate its ends formed by flanges integral with said casing, said groove being arra; ged to receive the edges of said recess when the casing is pressed laterally into the recess from the edge of the web, and the inner end of said recess being semi-circular in formation to provide for the rotation of said casing in its seat and eiilect a framing action on the film strip.

5. In a motion picture machine having a vertical web provided with a recess openin g to a lateral edge thereof, an intermittent motion device, a casing for said device haivn ing a circular circumferential groove intermediate its ends, said groove being afranged to receive the edges of said rec ss when the casing is pressed laterally into the recess frein the edge of the web, a follower formed to fit the enter end of said recess and enter said groove, the inner of said recess and said follower providing a circular formation, whereby the casing may be rotated in its seat to effect a framing aetion on the film strip, said follower being removable to provide for the removal of said casing from said recess.

G. in a motion picture machine having a vertical web provided with a recess opening to a lateral edge thereof, an intermittent motion device, a casing for said d vice having a circular circumferential groove intermediate its ends, said groove being arranged to receive the edges of said recess When the casing is pressed laterally into the recess in the edge of the iveb a folloivei formed to lit the outer end of said recess and enter said groove, the inner edges of said recess antL said follower providing a circular seat in Which the easing may be rotated to frame the film, means for rotating the casing, and means under the control of. the operator for normally holding the casing against vibration.

7. lin a motion picture machine having a vertical Web provided with a recess opening to a lateral edge thereof, an intermittent motion device, a casing for said intermittent motion device having a cylindrical section provided with a circumferential groove intermediate its ends, said groove being arranged to receive the edges of said recess when the casing is pressed laterally into the recess from the edge of the web, a follower formed to i'it the outer end of said recess and form with the inner end of the recess a circular seat for said groove, a driving shaft for said intermittent motion device concentrically jonrna-led in said casing and projecting from one end of said casing, an intermittently driven shaft eccentrically journaled in said casing and pi ojecting from the opposite end of said casing, and a film engaging sprocket carried by said driven shaft, whereby the' rotation of the casing in its seat ivill produce a translating movement of said sprocket to frame the film.

8. ln a motion picture machine having a vertical `web provided With a recess opening to a lateral edge thereof, an intermittent motion device, a casing for said intermittent motion device having a cylindrical section provided with a circumferential groove intermediate its ends, said groove being arranged to receive the edges of the recess When the easing is pressed laterally into the recess from the edge of the web, a driving shaft for said intermittent motion dellO viee eoneentreally journaled in said easing, Geneva driving whee, un oil chamber in 10 e y Wheel carried by the outer end of said shaft, :t Genevay dfvng wheel zn'lmf by the inner end of said Shaft, e driven Shaft eeeentletlly journaled n the othell end ot' said easing, a hn engaging Spfoeket Cfured by the oute1 end of the driven shaft, a Geneva` ster Wheel carried by the inner end of said sha-ft for cooperation with Said said casing in which said Geneva Wheel members operate, seid easing being,` rotatable in Said recess to move the hn engaging Smoeket and frame the lm.

Signed at Brooklyn in the county of Kings and State of New York, this 17th day of March, 1920.

MORRIS M. GRUBER. 

